Chopsticks

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide chopsticks that are hard to roll, can be aligned easily in a pair on a table, and are hard to damage through repeated use by teeth marks and so on, and in which heat is not easily conducted to the handle portion when used in hot soups or the like. In the chopsticks, a handle portion is formed from wood (including bamboo) or a synthetic resin, a tip portion is formed from a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum or the like, holes are formed in the lower end of the handle portion in the length direction from this lower end, and rod-like permanent magnets are arranged in these holes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to chopsticks, and more particularly toreusable chopsticks designed to be able to be used repeatedly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Chopsticks may be broadly divided into two types. One is a reusable typeused for the daily meals eaten at home and the other is the disposableor what is known as the splittable chopsticks type.

While splittable chopsticks are normally made of wood or bamboo, withconsideration to environmental conservation and forest conservation and,furthermore, to the associated problem of the garbage created thereby,people have been encouraged to refrain from using disposable chopsticksin recent years, and presumably the use of reusable chopsticks designedto be able to be repeatedly used will continue to increase in placesother than the home such as restaurants, Japanese eating houses, schoolsand hospitals and so on.

However, unlike splittable chopsticks which prior to being used can beset easily in an aligned state on a table because the two chopsticks areintegrated, there are problems associated with the use of reusablechopsticks in restaurants and traditional Japanese eating houses and soon in that, unless the two chopsticks are placed very carefully inalignment they will separate and, in addition, just a slight amount ofvibration will result in misalignment of the chopsticks from thisposition, and chopsticks misalignment is regarded as poor etiquette.

In addition, while widely used reusable chopsticks include woodenchopsticks painted with lacquer and chopsticks made of metal such asstainless steel, with chopsticks made of wood teeth marks are left bythe teeth in the tip thereof and they are liable to become damagedthrough repeated use and, in addition, because they do not dry easilyand absorb moisture in periods of high temperature and high humidity,this stimulates the growth of bacteria. On the other hand, whilechopsticks made of metal such as stainless steel are hygienic and do notdamage easily, there are inherent problems associated therewith in thatthe weight thereof precludes ease of use and, in addition, in thatbecause they conduct heat easily, when used in soups of high temperatureand so on the handle portion thereof quickly heats up and the chopstickscannot be held.

Furthermore, while it is preferable from the viewpoint of hygiene andthe like for a chopsticks rest on which the tip portion of the chopstickis rested to be used rather than the chopsticks being directly placed onthe table, because of the time and effort required to set the chopsticksrest on the table in addition to the chopsticks, the time and effortrequired to put away the chopsticks rest and, in addition, the time andeffort required to wash the chopsticks rest, they are something of anuisance to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing problems of the conventional art described above inmind, it is an object of the present invention to provide chopsticksthat are hard to roll and which can be placed easily in alignment on atable. It is an additional object to provide chopsticks which, inaddition to the above, are hard do damage by teeth and so on even afterrepeated use, and in which heat is not easily conducted to the handleportion thereof even when used in soups and the like. It is a furtherobject thereof to provide chopsticks in which, in addition to the above,the tip portion of the chopsticks can be elevated from the table withoutneed to use a chopsticks rest.

In the pair of chopsticks of a first embodiment for achieving theobjects described above, a hole is formed in the same position on eachof the pair of chopsticks in a length direction thereof, and a permanentmagnet is arranged in each of the holes.

In the pair of chopsticks of a second embodiment according to the pairof chopsticks of the first embodiment, the aforementioned holes areformed from the upper end of the chopsticks along the length directionthereof.

In addition, in the pair of chopsticks of a third embodiment accordingto the pair of chopsticks of the first embodiment, the handle portion ofthe aforementioned chopsticks is formed from wood including bamboo or asynthetic resin, and the tip portion is formed from a metal such asstainless steel or aluminum or the like.

Furthermore, in the pair of chopsticks of a fourth embodiment accordingto the pair of chopsticks of the third embodiment, the aforementionedholes are formed along the length direction from the lower end of thehandle portion, and these holes are covered as a result of connection ofthe tip portion to the handle portion.

Furthermore, in the pair of chopsticks of a fifth embodiment accordingto the pair of chopsticks of any of first to fourth embodiment,protrusions for elevating the tip portion of chopsticks from the tableare respectively formed in the same position on each of the pair ofchopsticks.

According to the present invention of the first embodiment describedabove, because permanent magnets are arranged in the same position ofeach chopstick of the pair of chopsticks, the chopsticks can becorrectly aligned by simply bringing the individual chopsticks togetherand, thereafter, because a slight amount of vibration does not result inmisalignment of the chopsticks from this position, the chopsticks arehard to roll and can be placed easily in correct alignment on a table.In addition, because the permanent magnets are arranged in holes formedalong the length direction of the chopsticks, these permanent magnetscannot be seen from the exterior and, in addition, for example, should achild display an interest in using the chopsticks it will be easier forthem to become proficient in holding the chopsticks. Furthermore, as theconfiguration thereof is based simply on the provision of holes in thechopsticks and permanent magnets being embedded therein, the manufactureof these chopsticks is simple and, in addition, there is no inherentdisadvantage inherent therewith from the viewpoint of cost.

In addition, according to the present invention of the second embodimentdescribed above, in addition to the effect of the first embodimentdescribed above, the manufacture thereof is further simplified becausethe holes in which the permanent magnets are arranged are formed alongthe length direction from the upper end of the chopsticks and, inaddition, because this causes only a slight weakening of the strength ofthe chopsticks, chopsticks whose exterior form is essentially unchangedcan be produced.

In addition, according to the present invention of the third embodimentdescribed above, chopsticks can be provided in which, in addition to theeffect of the invention of the first embodiment described above, becausethe handle portion is formed from a wood (including bamboo) or asynthetic resin of pleasant texture that does not conduct heat easilyand moreover, the tip portion is formed from a metal such as stainlesssteel or aluminum or the like which is hygienically easy to maintain,the tip portion is hard to damage through repeated use, and heat is notconducted easily to the handle portion when used in hot soups or thelike.

Furthermore, according to the present invention of the fourth embodimentdescribed above, chopsticks can be provided in which, in addition to theeffect of the invention of the third embodiment described above, becausethe holes in which the permanent magnets are arranged are formed alongthe length direction from the lower end of the handle portion and theseholes are covered as a result of connection of the tip portion to thehandle section, the provision of a separate member for covering theholes is unnecessary and, accordingly, the manufacturing costs can bekept low and, in addition, because the permanent magnets are arranged inthe vicinity of the center in the length direction of the chopsticks,this does not impact on the ease of use of the chopsticks.

Furthermore, according to the present invention of the fifth embodimentdescribed above, chopsticks can be provided in which, in addition to theeffect of the invention according to first to fourth embodimentdescribed above, because protrusions that elevate the tip portion of thechopsticks from the table are provided, the chopsticks can behygienically placed on the table without need for the use of achopsticks rest and, in turn, as a natural outcome thereof, the time andtrouble required to set the chopsticks rest on the table, the time andtrouble required to put away the chopsticks rest, and the time andtrouble required to wash the chopstick rest and so on is eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment ofchopsticks pertaining to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the chopsticks ofFIG. 1 have been placed in alignment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment ofchopsticks pertaining to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment ofchopsticks pertaining to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the chopsticks ofFIG. 4 have been placed in alignment; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a supplementary embodiment of a preferredconfiguration of the chopsticks pertaining to the present invention ofwhich (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a side view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The chopsticks pertaining to the present invention described above willbe hereinafter described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment ofchopsticks pertaining to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is aperspective view showing a state in which the chopsticks of FIG. 1 havebeen placed in alignment. In addition, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspectiveview of a second embodiment of chopsticks pertaining to the presentinvention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodimentof chopsticks pertaining to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is aperspective view showing a state in which the chopsticks of FIG. 4 havebeen placed in alignment. In addition, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing apreferred configuration of a supplementary embodiment of the chopstickspertaining to the present invention.

The chopsticks 1 pertaining to the present invention shown in FIG. 1have an overall rod-like shape of circular cross-section narrowingtowards the tip. While there are no particular limitations to thematerial used therefore, from the viewpoint of texture, low heatconductivity and, furthermore, ease of production and so on, thechopsticks are formed from wood (including bamboo) or synthetic resinand, in accordance with need, the surface thereof is coated with alacquer or the like.

Holes 2 are formed in the upper end of the chopsticks 1 in the lengthdirection from the upper end. The holes 2 are formed in a diameter ofthe order of 2 to 5 mm and a length of the order of 5 to 15 mm. Inaddition, a female screw 3 is engraved in the vicinity of the opening ofthe holes 2.

Rod-like permanent magnets 4 are inserted in these holes 2. There are noparticular limitations to the type of permanent magnet 4. In addition,the shape dimension of the permanent magnet 4 is designed as appropriatewith consideration to the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 4, aswell the type of material from which the pair of chopsticks 1 is made,and the shape dimension of the holes 2.

The holes 2 into which the permanent magnets 4 are inserted are blockedby a cover 6 in which, to prevent fall-out of the permanent magnet 4 andto improve the external appearance characteristics, a male screw 5 thatscrews into the female screw 3 is provided.

A structure in which the permanent magnets 4 are fixed to the holes 2using an adhesive or the like rather than being covered by the cover 6may be adopted, and a structure in which a male screw is machined in thepermanent magnet 4 themselves and screwed into the female screw 3 of theholes 2 may also be adopted.

In the chopsticks 1 pertaining to the present invention of theconfiguration described above, because the permanent magnets 4, 4 arearranged in the same position in each chopstick of the pair ofchopsticks 1, 1, they can be aligned easily and correctly by theattraction at a position where the S pole and N pole thereof areopposing by simply being brought together and, as shown in FIG. 2,because the pair of chopsticks 1, 1 are integrated by this magneticforce, they are hard to roll despite being circular in shape and,thereafter, because a slight amount of vibration will not upset thechopsticks from this position, the pair of chopsticks 1, 1 can be placedeasily in correct alignment on a table.

Chopsticks 11 pertaining to a second embodiment of the present inventionas shown in FIG. 3 have a rod-like body narrowing towards the tip suchthat the handle portion is square in cross-section and the cross sectionbecomes gradually circular toward the tip. While there are no particularlimitations to the material used therefor, from the viewpoint oftexture, low heat conductivity and, furthermore, ease of production andso on, the chopsticks are formed from wood (including bamboo) orsynthetic resin and, in accordance with need, the surface thereof iscoated with a lacquer or the like.

Holes 12 are formed in the upper end of the chopsticks 11 in the lengthdirection from the upper end, and a female screw 13 is engraved in thevicinity of the opening of the holes 12. Rod-like permanent magnets 14are inserted in these holes 12 which are blocked by a cover 16 in whicha male screw 15 that screws into the female screw 13 is formed. In thisembodiment as well, a structure in which the permanent magnet 14 isfixed to the holes 12 using an adhesive or the like rather than beingcovered by the cover 16 may be adopted.

In the chopsticks 11 pertaining to the present invention of theconfiguration described above, in the same way as the previouslydescribed configurations, because the pair of chopsticks 11, 11 can becorrectly aligned simply by being brought together and, thereafter,because a slight amount of vibration will not result in misalignment ofthe chopsticks from this position, the pair of chopsticks can be placedeasily in correct alignment on a table.

In chopsticks 21 of the present invention pertaining to a thirdembodiment shown in FIG. 4, a handle portion (about 60% of the total) 21a and a tip portion (remaining 40%) 21 b are formed of differentmaterials, the handle portion 21 a being formed from a wood (includingbamboo) or synthetic resin of pleasant texture, while the tip portion 21b is formed from a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum which doesnot damage easily and which is hygienically easy to maintain. Inaddition, these chopsticks have a rod-like body narrowing towards thetip in which the handle portion is square in cross-section and in whichthe cross section becomes gradually circular toward the tip. Inaccordance with need, a lacquer or the like may be coated on the handleportion 21 a.

Holes 22 are formed in the lower end of the handle portion 21 a in thelength direction from the lower end, and a female screw 23 is engravedin the vicinity of the opening of the holes 22. Rod-like permanentmagnets 24 are inserted into these holes 22. A male screw 25 that screwsinto the female screw 23 is protrudingly provided in the upper end ofthe tip portion 21 b, the holes 22 being covered and fall-out of thepermanent magnets 24 being prevented as a result of the tip portion 21 bbeing screwed into the handle portion 21 a.

The handle portion 21 a and the tip portion 21 b may be connected usingan adhesive material or the like rather than by the use of a screwconnection.

In the chopsticks 21 pertaining to the present invention of theconfiguration described above, in the same way as the previouslydescribed configurations, because the pair of chopsticks 21, 21 can becorrectly aligned simply by being brought together and, thereafter,because a slight amount of vibration will not result in misalignment ofthe chopsticks from this position, the pair of chopsticks can be placedeasily in correct alignment on a table as shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, because the handle portion 21 a is formed from a wood(including bamboo) or synthetic resin of pleasant texture that does notconduct heat easily and, in addition, the tip portion 21 b is formedfrom a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum which is hygienicallyeasy to maintain, chopsticks that are hard to damage by teeth marks dueto repeated use and, in addition, in which heat is not easily conductedto the handle portion when used in hot soups or the like can beprovided.

Furthermore, because the holes 22 in which the permanent magnets 24 arearranged are formed in the length direction from the lower end of thehandle portion 21 a, and these holes 22 are covered as a result ofconnection of the tip portion 21 b to the handle portion 21 a, the needfor provision of a separate member to cover the holes 22 is eliminatedand, accordingly, chopsticks for which the manufacturing costs can bekept low and, in addition, and in which the permanent magnets 24 do notimpact on the use thereof because they are arranged in the vicinity ofthe center in the length direction of the holes 21, can be provided.

FIG. 6 shows a preferred supplementary configuration of chopsticks 31 ofthe present invention in which protrusions 32 for elevating the tipportion of the chopsticks 31 from the surface of the table are providedin the same position (a part a little toward the tip from the center inthe length direction of the chopsticks) in each chopstick of the pair ofchopsticks 31, 31. These protrusions 32 may be integrally formed withthe chopsticks main body or may be affixed as a separate member by anadhesive or the like.

In addition, serrations 33 for ensuring that the food grasped by thechopsticks does not slip off easily are formed in the tip portion of thechopsticks 31. These serrations 33 may be provided as recessed groovesor protruding ridges and, furthermore, they may be imparted by the useof sandpaper, sandblasting, or provision of zigzags in the surfacethereof.

Apart from the configuration described above, the configuration of thispair of chopsticks 31 is identical to the pair of chopsticks shown inFIG. 3 and, accordingly, identical symbols are assigned to sections ofthe configuration identical therewith and the explanation thereof hasbeen omitted.

Because identical effects to those obtained with the pair of chopsticks11 pertaining to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 can be achieved with thepair of chopsticks 31 pertaining to the present invention of theconfiguration described above and, in addition thereto, protrusions 32are provided to elevate the tip portion of the pair of chopsticks 31from the table, the chopsticks can be hygienically placed on the tablewithout need for the use of a chopsticks rest and, in turn, the time andtrouble required set the pair of chopsticks rest on the table, the timeand trouble required to put away the pair of chopsticks rest, and thetime and trouble required to wash the chopstick rest and so on iseliminated. In addition, foods can be easily grasped by the chopsticksas a result of the provision of the serrations 33 in the tip portion.

While a variety of embodiments of the chopsticks pertaining to thepresent invention are described above, the present invention is notlimited thereto and, accordingly a variety of modifications andalterations can be made thereto within the scope of the technical gistof the present invention as described by the scope of the claims.

1. A pair of chopsticks, wherein a hole is formed in the same positionon each of the pair of chopsticks in a length direction thereof, and apermanent magnet is arranged in each of the holes.
 2. The pair ofchopsticks according to claim 1, wherein said holes are arranged alongthe length direction from an upper end of the chopsticks.
 3. The pair ofchopsticks according to claim 1, wherein a handle portion of saidchopsticks is formed from wood including bamboo or a synthetic resin,and a tip portion thereof is formed from a metal.
 4. The pair ofchopsticks according to claim 3, wherein said holes are formed in thelength direction from a lower end of the handle portion, these holesbeing covered by connecting the tip portion to the handle portion. 5.The pair of chopsticks according to claim 1 wherein protrusions thatelevate the tip portion of the chopsticks from a table are respectivelyprovided in the same position on each of the pair of chopsticks.
 6. Thepair of chopsticks according to claim 2, wherein protrusions thatelevate the tip portion of the chopsticks from a table are respectivelyprovided in the same position on each of the pair of chopsticks.
 7. Thepair of chopsticks according to claim 3, wherein protrusions thatelevate the tip portion of the chopsticks from a table are respectivelyprovided in the same position on each of the pair of chopsticks.
 8. Thepair of chopsticks according to claim 4, wherein protrusions thatelevate the tip portion of the chopsticks from a table are respectivelyprovided in the same position on each of the pair of chopsticks.